The Rise in Popularity of Alternative Medicine over Mainstream Medicine

The Rise in Popularity of Alternative Medicine over Mainstream Medicine

There is a growing phenomenon in the world which is very diverse and

yet can be grouped collectively under a single name: alternative

medicine. What this term basically represents is any health care that

is not part of the mainstream medical establishment and it includes

all such therapies form chiropractic to aromatherapy. Those that

consume these medicines believe that being herbal they are not as

invasive on the body as mainstream medicines are or cause as many

drastic side effects and therefore the alternative medicines are

becoming very popular.

There is no specific day or year when alternative medicine was born,

different alternative techniques have arrived at very different times.

In addition, there is no "father" of alternative medicine who is

solely responsible for its growth. In fact, the recent upsurge in

popularity of alternative medicine has been a gradual process aided by

the establishment of health maintenance organizations which favour

cost-effective alternative therapy programs over costly surgical and

chronic illness procedures.

Acupuncture, for example, is an ancient technique which originated in

China as long ago as 2689 B.C. it is the stimulation of special points

on the body usually with fine needles. Yoga is also among the oldest

known systems of health practiced in the world today. It was first

systematically set down in writing by Patanjali in the second century,

B.C. Conversely, biofeedback and enzyme therapy are two alternative

techniques which have gained prominence primarily in the twentieth

century. Chiropractic medicine, natu...

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...ging symptoms, which is important and improves a

patient's quality of life, but does not offer hope of altering the

disease course itself. However these medicines are reasonably

expensive and quite a few people cannot affords them. Many of these

prescription drugs cause many side effects and one has to decide

whether they want to be cured of their ailment with the risk of these

side effects or live with their current condition.

In conclusion it is easy to understand why people would be drawn to

the allure of alternative medicine. Those therapies that are most

successful are often very good at the personal aspect of health care.

The interventions tend to be very hands-on and often even pleasurable,

such as massage therapy or therapeutic touch, very different from the

needles, probes, and x-rays of mainstream medicine.